The Millie Project: A lesson for all!

In a society that increasingly seems to be utterly consumed by hatred and division, we must have those hopeful moments to remind us that light still drives away darkness. I am happy to report that I found a bright ray of light in Willard Friday night. I had heard about "The Millie Project" before and knew it was a readers theatre telling the story of Millie Sawyers, a black woman from Springfield who sued for her freedom in 1836. The News-Leader provided the coverage that brought this story to light after an archivist discovered the documents which brought to light the winning of her freedom and her subsequent beating by the town fathers.

Like many novels, films and accounts that are now emerging, we are learning so many of the stories that we didn’t know before, and we have to find somewhere to place them and learn the lessons. For unknown reasons, Millie’s story didn’t get the attention that was afforded some other slaves who, although in bondage, sought to gain freedom through the judicial system. But nevertheless it is a historic one, and thanks to the Willard drama department, we can place this daughter of our city on her rightful page. Millie’s story has gotten some attention and hopefully it will get more as we come to terms with the importance of her court case and what she suffered in the aftermath.

The treatment of this event by the Reader’s theatre under the guidance of their teacher Kendra Chappell is a good story and well done theatre. It is laudable that the students participated in the research for the production and Ms. Chappell wrote the script and directed this sharp, edgy production. I have tried to see it on several occasions, but the forces of nature caused the show to be rescheduled; but the theatre gods aligned this past weekend and I’m grateful they did.

The brilliance of the one-act production for me is that it doesn’t just share Millie’s story but places this event on the long road of freedom for African-Americans in this nation. The students, with precision effect, announce and recall important dates in the freedom journey in Springfield and the nation. This gives great context to Ms. Sawyer’s story and allows the audience to realize this is not an isolated event but another page in a much larger story. There was a conviction in the songs, stories and script that was impressive and clearly informative for the students and audience.

Many times individuals mention they don’t see how what happened way back then has to do with today … well, they would be a good candidate for the Millie Project because it clearly connects the dots. Other times people say no one told them about what happened … same response, the Millie Project will tell what happened, and it teaches, which makes the audience learn. One cannot learn the story of Millie Sawyer without realizing this is part of Springfield’s history and she was a fighter. I can’t help but be struck by the number of unknown people that are now standing tall in the halls of history. Thank you, Millie, for being a freedom fighter!

Thanks, Ms. Chappell and students of Willard for a lesson well taught and for shining some light for us all. You told an important story and you told it well … well indeed!

Lyle Foster is part of the Commercial Street Merchants Association and active in several local organizations.